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Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Their Origin and Purpose

Notes from Dr. Dale A. Robbins & Pastor Tony Catron

Quotations are directly from Dr. Robbins

 

“The ministry of Spiritual Gifts originates in the New Testament…the Holy Spirit [was sent] to equip His [Jesus] church with power and spiritual gifts (Greek— charismata)…” Ephesians 4:11 lists gifts of the 5 fold ministry, which every ministry should have to show the fruit of their calling the Jesus. Anyone can set up a ministry, or call themselves a Pastor or Bishop, yet what are their fruit presenting?

Ephesians 4:11 states the following: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Moving on to Romans 12:3-7 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-12;28, we find more gifts.

Romans 12:3-7

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

1 Corinthians 12:1-12; 28

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

People rush out and try to operate in a gift that they don’t have. Jumping out ahead will cause you to have a shipwreck, bringing discouragement in ministry. People go out without no foundation and no support. Be careful. The gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:3-7 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-12;28, are “generally assigned to one of three categories , as listed below”:

  • Ministry (office) gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher.
  • Motivational (practical) gifts: Service, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Helps and Administration.
  • Charismatic (spiritual) gifts: Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation, Faith, Healing and Miracles.
Are Charismatic Gifts for Today?

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 is as follows:

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

This passage is often cited to say that spiritual gifts are done away with. However, history says otherwise. “Church History clearly refutes any notion that charismatic gifts faded away after the apostolic era. Other than diminishing somewhat during the middle ages (probably due to the inaccessibility to scripture by the common people), it is obvious that spiritual gifts were never completely absent from the church. Scores of statements to this effect were recorded by church leaders such as Irenaeus, who wrote around A.D. 150 ‘…we hear many of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in tongues through the spirit, and who alos bring to light the secret things of men for the benefit…'”

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 does not describe gifts coming to an end, it means that prophecies can fail die to people not being moved by the Holy Ghost, and that tongues and knowledge will fail for the same reason.

Next week will will continue with the 9 Charismatic Gifts.

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By the Leading of the Holy Ghost

The music of worship and praise played through the stereo as the congregation waited for Pastor Catron to arrive to give us a word from the Almighty God. He began to go right into teaching the word of God, speaking into the lives of everyone individually. By the time he knew it, much time had passed, and he suddenly exclaimed “I did not plan on talking about this, but the Holy Ghost has chosen to do this!” The Holy Ghost was using Pastor Catron to speak into our lives, giving us individual courage in the face of our individual needs and problems.

We were asked to turn in our Bibles to Matthew chapter 5: 1-10

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In the face of serious problems we may be facing, because “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). 

This recently has become the motto of the congregation, as we put on “the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Ephesians 6:11. Lately, the spiritual battle has been raging tough for we know that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” Ephesians 6:12. Yet we are encouraged that the name of Jesus and the power of God through the Holy Ghost, can cast down demonic strongholds if we have faith in Jesus!

We were encouraged this morning in the face of adversity,confessing our “faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16.